In Italy, it seems that means of transport – be they airplanes, trains, public transport or taxis – are more likely to strike than any other sector in the country (and curiously superior to European countries too). This is surprising considering that Italy should be an excellence in tourism. Unfortunately, this is not the case. The many tourists and citizens who this morning tried to move in our beautiful cities for fun or work, have found another day of hardship.
Taxis strike but it is not 1992
Taxi drivers are on strike today. Although the draft of the 5 articles of the decree is ready with measures to avoid abusive practices in the activity of rental with driver and taxi service,, today taxi drivers strike. No matter what those measures say, no matter what direction they go, today taxi drivers strike. They strike asking for the respect of the law 21/92 (the number after the bar indicates the year of birth of the law). They strike because the various Uber (and the sharing economy) do not respect a law of 1992: the year of the Olympics that relaunched Barcelona, of the “cowardly slaughters” of Capaci and Via D’Amelio, Tangentopoli, and Karaoke that brought the young Fiorello to the spotlight. I think it is likely during that year in which the first SMS in history was sent (December 3, 1992), digital and sharing economy were probably not such a current issue. Since those years everything has changed (and who sends SMS anymore?) but the law on public transport hasn’ t.
The solutions are there, you only need to talk about them
The subject is complex and there are many women and men who have just bought a license and somehow ask to be protected tutelati but it is difficult to think of stopping the revolution that is bringing about the sharing economy all over the world, from the car sharing up to services such as those offered by Uber. It’s hard to do that by saying no at all. It’s hard to do this if you don’t sit down at the table, don’t negotiate or discuss hoping to live a little longer. Revolutions are made with proposals, such as, for example, that of double the licenses to taxi drivers, to allow them to sell one, that of the Antitrust to provide compensation for the owners, or that of Uber who said he was willing to indemnify taxi drivers.
I contacted Carlo Tursi, General Manager of Uber in Italy, to ask for his opinion. He kindly answered me as follows:
Today we are finally faced with the opportunity to offer people what they are asking for: more choice and quality in the services they use to move. New technologies can and must allow this by following rules that are designed to protect consumers and that open up competition in the sector. Only in this way will it be possible to have cheaper services and create jobs. We hope that the Government will also listen to the voices of citizens and consumers.
Carlo Tursi, General Manager Italy, Uber
Revolutions are made by discussing the booking and return rules for NCCs, the list of licensed taxis and authorized NCCs. Eventually also the register of apps. They are also done without fear of losing votes, in the interest of the development of the country and its citizens.
It is sacrosanct to go straight to the strike but it is essential that it does not become exclusively a weapon of blackmail: that is how a country stops its tourists, professionals and the many citizens who today should have taken a taxi and, perhaps, have taken an Uber.
